As the fashion week season draws to a close, it’s obvious that brands are feeling the pressure of growing economic instability. Rising costs and tightening budgets have seen many scale back shows or skip out entirely as they struggle to stay on official schedules.
These difficulties are increased exponentially if your home country is at war.
2025 marks the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In recent weeks, efforts to find a solution have escalated—often unfolding with unexpected results including the outbreak of an argument in the Oval Office between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And with events fast-moving, Moscow and Washington are now set to discuss a 30-day ceasefire, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with the latest reports suggesting that President Trump is urging Vladimir Putin to agree.
Despite the hostile environment, 2025 saw the second edition of Ukrainian Fashion Week since the invasion. Additionally, several brands from Ukraine managed to show at international fashion weeks for Autumn Winter ‘25.
